Ask your student what they need.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to providing support as many individuals feel supported in different ways. Keeping this in mind, it’s important to be specific during discussions with your student about how you can provide support in the upcoming weeks in a way that is most helpful to them.
While some students may prefer more time and space to focus their attention on studying, others might prefer quick, frequent check-ins for encouragement or accountability. Similarly, some students might find it helpful to review course content with someone to retain information better, and others might prefer talking to loved ones as a distraction during study breaks. A care package or quick inspirational text also may be motivating. Whatever they suggest, take their lead.
Remind them to prioritize rest and self-care.
With busy schedules, students may find themselves sacrificing sleep or proper nutrition to make time for more studying. Encourage them to prioritize healthy eating, a consistent sleep routine, exercise and self-care activities. It can be helpful for you to avoid problem-solving and instead focus on helping your student explore options for greater balance within their well-being. They’ve navigated a semester’s worth of adjustment to their study habits and schedule, remind them to focus on what works best for them.
Be understanding.
Students are experiencing high stress this time of year, and this could lead to decreased communication from your student. Provide support and understanding while they adjust to potential changes in their daily routine toward the end of the semester. Students also might experience a wide range of emotions, from stress, anxiousness or sadness to relief, excitement and pride in their accomplishments. Provide validation and show understanding for these emotional changes as they navigate pressure to perform well academically.
Provide encouragement.
It’s helpful to simply remind your student that they’re doing the best they can and that you support them regardless of the outcome of their grades. Remind them of their strengths and that they are capable of great success. A simple act of encouragement can go a long way.
CAPS is here to provide additional mental health support and information about services can be found at caps.unl.edu. Crisis services are available 24/7 by calling 402.472.7450 and following the prompts.
More details at: https://caps.unl.edu